Competing With Poundland

Popular stallholder says Chiswick shoppers have rallied to support him

The arrival of cut-price chain Poundland in Chiswick has made residents think of about supporting local stallholders, according to one trader.

Jim Gammell, who runs a stall outside Sainsbury in Essex Place said he had initially been worried when the new Poundland opened last weekend. But he was surprised and delighted when several shoppers told him they were deliberately visiting his stall to support him.

"It's been brilliant, I've had regular shoppers buying a bit more than usual, and people of all ages, including youngsters stopping by and picking up items. A lot of people said they felt they should support local traders at a time like this", he said.

Jim has been working on a stall in Chiswick for thirty-seven years "since the age of nine" when it was a family business. It was formerly a fishmonger's stall and when the licence expired several years ago it was turned into a stall selling mainly household goods. He carries a huge variety of stock from beauty products to tinfoil, batteries, to household cleaning products and he thinks the personal contact is what will keep locals coming back, despite the threat from cut-price chains and online shopping.

"I help people in different ways and there's no queue here like there is in a shop. People know if they need something I'll order it for them, if they haven't got the right money I might tell them to come back when they have it. I'm not strictly speaking a £1 stall, there are different deals on items. I sell things that you mightn't find in a shop- for example these scrubbing brushes are popular with people but you won't find the ones I sell that easily.

A typical Poundland shop

"I've nothing against Poundland, there's one near where I live, but I was a bit worried my business would slow down. So far that hasn't happened. People in Chiswick have been great.

September 30, 2014